PRESERVATION ​FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: If I have a tape that has been accidentally erased or taped over, can I recover the original recording?A: No. All magnetic recording is done by “imprinting” either a North or South polarity on a large number of individual magnetic particles in a pattern. Once the polarity in the particles is changed by either erasure or a new recording, there is no known method of determining the previous polarity. Any recording that has been erased or recorded over is gone. In very rare occasions, the erasure or new recording can miss some of the old recording and small fragments are left. Trying to capture anything from these tapes is very expensive, usually does not work and, at best, can recover only a few very fragmented sounds or images.

Q: If I don't copy my old tapes right away am I likely to lose them in a few years?A: Unfortunately, the most likely answer is: yes. Experts have developed a variety of very effective methods of restoring old tapes but tape deterioration is becoming more severe over time. In addition, the technology to play old tapes is disappearing at an alarming rate. New tape machinery is not being made, parts to fix older machines are becoming unavailable and the people who know how to use and fix tape machinery are retiring from the work force. No one really knows just how soon it will happen but the ability to play old tapes is disappearing.

Q: How long can I expect my tape to last?A: The variables involved in this question are so numerous that no single answer can possibly be correct. From a tape viewpoint, however, as a general guideline:

If you have professional quality tape from a major manufacturer and keep it in a dry environment that is comfortable for you, it should last at least ten years.

If you keep tape in a stable, controlled environment that is slightly too cold and too dry for a person to be comfortable in, your tape should last for at least fifty years.

If tape is of a totally unknown brand or is miniaturized there is no real life expectancy: consider yourself lucky every time it still works!

From a machine viewpoint:

Some rare types of tape already cannot be played since no working machinery exists.

Many experts predict most tape types will be difficult to find working machinery for after the year 2025, but no one really knows.

Even if you find working machinery, tape must be in “good” condition to play on the machinery. To help protect your tapes, you should store them in a proper environment.

Q: At what temperature and humidity is it best to store my tapes?A: It depends on which is most important to you -- long tape life or easy access. The colder and drier the environment in which you store your tapes (until you approach a lower limit of about 45 degrees and 20% RH), the better for the tapes, but the less convenient for you. Tapes stored at low temperatures and humidity cannot be used safely until they are returned to near-operating conditions in a controlled environment. This requires special handling and a lot of time.

Q: Why do my old tapes stick or squeal when I try to play them?A: The most probable cause is binder hydrolysis. This is a chemical breakdown of the tape, usually due to interaction with moisture in the air over a period of time. The result is a sticky residue on the surface of the tape. For this reason, the problem is often referred to as “sticky shed”. The problem occurs because the tape has been stored in an area that is too damp and too warm. Tapes with binder hydrolysis can usually be fixed.

Q: Do my old tapes need to be cleaned before being copied?A: If there is any evidence of dust, debris or damage on your tapes they should be cleaned. Testing by both manufacturers and government labs shows that very small particles on the surface of a tape can interfere with the signal during copying. Cleaning by a professional can also identify serious tape problems that, left untreated, may cause permanent damage during playback.

Q: Are the new digital tapes less subject to disasters than the old analog formats?A:No! The new tapes are much more delicate. The smaller size, higher recording density and new metal particle formulations make modern tape formats much more susceptible to disasters. SPECS BROS. has developed special techniques to deal with these problems.

Q: If I have a disaster at home can my personal collection be restored?A: Recovery techniques used on professional tapes can also be used on most consumer formats. However, some techniques do not work as well on miniaturized tapes, such as 8mm or Mini-DV video. If your tapes are easily replaced store-bought copies, it is often less expensive to replace the tapes than to pay for professional restoration.

Q: Can wet tapes be "freeze-dried" like some paper materials?A: Freeze-drying has been used on tapes but it is not recommended. Certain chemical components of tape are damaged at freezing temperatures. The procedure can also leave dried contaminants, which interfere with playback, on the tape surface.

Q: There's fungus growing on my tapes. What should I do?A: Do not play tapes with fungus! This can damage the tapes, contaminate your machine and may even throw enough spores into the air to affect you. Fungus can be removed but this is not something you should try yourself. If you find fungus on a tape, isolate the tape to avoid spreading contamination and call a specialist. Also examine the area where the tapes are stored: it is probably too humid.

Q: What does "exercising" tapes mean and do my tapes need it?A: "Exercising" is the periodic winding and rewinding of tapes. It is recommended to reduce print-through, an "echo" effect that occurs on analog audio tapes in storage. If you have analog audio tapes, it can be important to exercise your tapes on a regular basis. Exercising has not been shown to have a beneficial effect on any other type of tape.